Transmission and control mechanism



Aug. '8, 1944. F. A. PARSONS 2,355,554

TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed April 17, 1940 5- SheetsSheet 1 T167 466 my INVENTOR ,1944. -F. A PARS 2,355,554

TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Hlllllll llllllll INVLENTOR Aug. 8, 1944. v F. A. PARSONS I ,3

TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed April 17, 1 940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 1944- r F. A. PARSONS 2,355,554

TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM I Filed April 17, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 PIN 0L E ozwAzo mm b T ecu CUTTING bzsssuze IN NTOR jgjm. {@115 4 Curr-ma PRzsSUiZE Patented Aug. 8, 1944 TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Fred. A. Parsons, Milwaukee, .Wis., .assig nor to Kearney & Trecker Corporation, West Allis,

Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application April 17, 1940, Serial No. 330,051

'7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to transmission-and controlmechanism, and more particularly to apparatus for eliminating lost motion and attendant backlash or overrun in machine tool driving trains.

This application is, in part, a continuation of my-copending-application Serial N0. 162,977, filed September 9, 1937, which matured into Patent No. 2,204,693, dated June 18, 1940.

A purpose is to provide a transmission in combination with improved means responsive to variations in the torque being transmitted, and in a manner such that the torque variations may be utilized for control or elimination of backlash or overrunin certain portions of the transmission train, and especially to prevent overrun in the train such as may occur, for example, in a milling machine table drive where the cutting pressure urges the table ahead of its driving train.

A further purpose is generally to simplify and improve the construction and operation of machine tools, and particularly of milling machines,- and especially for the purposes previously mentioned, and still other purposes will be apparent from the specification.

The invention consists of the construction and combination of parts as herein illustrated, described and claimed, and in--such modifications of the structure illustrated and described as may be the equivalent to the structure of the claims.

Throughout this specification the same reference characters have been used to indicate the same parts, and in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a right side elevation of a milling machine in which the invention in certain of its aspects. 7

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same machine.

Figure 3 is a partial section taken approximately along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and enlarged.

Figure 4 is a sectional development of transmission and other mechanism, taken approximately along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Figure '5 is asection of transmission and control mechanism taken approximately along line 55 of Fig. 2, and enlarged.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a rate change device shown in Fig. 4.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing the construction and operating relationship of certain torque responsive mechanism and backlash eliminating means, as incorporatedin the machine of Fig. 1. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the operating relationship of the torque responsive mechanism is incorporated and backlash eliminating device of Fig. 7 with certain modifications and additions.

Figures 8A, 8B are force charts showing characteristics during certain modes of operation of the machine.

Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating possible direction relationship'of the spindle and table of the machine.

Figure 10 is a section of certain valves shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a diagram'showing'the operating relationship ofthe torque responsive mechanism and backlash eliminating device'of Fig. 7 with other modifications and additions;

Figures 11A, 11B are force "charts indicating characteristics'during other modes of operation ofthe machine.

The machine of Fig.1 is a milling machine which includes a column 20, a tool spindle'2l rotatably supported on the column, and a 'work support or table 22 guided for movement on a saddle23 in a. direction transverse to the axis of the spindle, the'saddle'being supported for cross movement on a knee 24 which is vertically movable on the column. The knee, saddle and table together provide for table movement relative to'spindle 2| in three mutually transverse paths.

The spindle 2|, Fig. 1, is driven from a power source such as a motor 25, through a main clutch generally denoted by the numeral 26. The spindle transmission 'maybe of' any suitable type, but in the present machine includes rate change and reversing mechanism of the form disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 126,779, filed February 20, 1937, which matured into Patent No. 2,203,743, dated June 11, 1940, and will not, therefore, here be described in detail. Clutch 26 may be engaged by the one direction of movement of a hand lever l85, Fig, l. The other direction'of move'ment of the clutch hub engagesa brake. A gear 30 is driven whenever the motor 25 is running, and forms the initial drive gear of a table quick traverse drive train later described. 'A gear 3| is'driven'only when clutch 26 is engaged, and forms the initial drive gear for atable feed rate train later described. I

The feed and quick traverse trains just mentioned are alternatively connectible to drive a rotatable sleeve 32, Figs. 3, 4, carried in a box or housing 23a. fixed on saddle'23; The quick trav-' erse train includes the initial gear30, an idler gear train 30, Fig. 1, a gear 33 a shaftffan extensible universal; joint -sh'aft. device 35, a

idler gear train 42, Fig. 1, a gear 43, a shaft 44,

an extensible universal joint shaft device 45, a shaft 46, Figs. 1, 4, a sleeve 41, Figs. 3, 4, retatably journaled in the housing 23a and slidably splined with shaft 46, a stepless feed rate changer generally denoted by the numeral '49,

a torque measuring device generallydenoted by.

the numeral 49, gears 50, and an overrunof a hand lever I51, Figs. 1, 2, which is mounted for universal pivotal movement, and the table reverser 54 is similarly under the control of the horizontal movements of the same hand lever. The control connections may be effected in a variety of ways, a preferred method being fully described in said copending application and, since the particular method doe not concern thisapplication, it need not herebefurther described. r

The feed rate changer unit 48, Figs. 4, 8, is

"similar to the rate changer disclosed in a copending application Serial No. 52,095, filed Noning clutch device generally denoted by the numeral 52, which may drive the sleeve 32 at a feed rate which is variable according to the adjustment of rate changer 48, but which drives only when the clutch 39 of the quick traverse train is disengaged.

The overrunning' clutch'52, Fig.4, maybe of any suitable type, but in this instance. is of a well-known form which includes an inner member 52a fixed on the sleeve 32, an outer-member 52b fixed on or integrally formed with the gear SI, and clutch rollers such as 520, the inner member having cam surfaces whereby springs, not shown, may operate against the" rollers. to wedge the rollers for the outer member to drive the inner member except whenthe inner member is driven at a faster rate than the outer member and inthe same direction, as occurs when the clutch -39'of the quick traverse train is engaged. By this. arrangement the sleeve 32 is alternatively driven at quick traverse rate or at feed rate accordingly as the clutch 39 is engaged or'disengaged, the direction of rotationbeing the same in'either. case,

The table 22 may be driven in either direction from the sleeve 32 through a table reverser generally denoted by the numeral 54, Fig." 4, which includes friction clutches 54a, 541; each comprising a set of clutch plates in which the alternate plates are keyed with sleeve 32 and with the extended and enlarged hubs of associated bevel gears 51, 58, whereby an'intermediate bevel gear 59 may be driven in opposite directions accordingly; as clutch spools 54c, 5411 are unitarily axially shifted in the one or the other direction, the clutch spools having an intermediate position in which neither-clutch is:=engaged. Bevel gear59 is connected to drive a table screw 60, Fig.3, through a shaft BI; and a bevel gear pair 62; 63, the'screw' 60 being slidably splined in the bore ,of;gear 63 and engaging a-nut 64 fixed in saddle 23. The screw 60 is' squared at 60a for application of a crank, not shown, for manual adjustment of the table'in either direction.

Either the saddle 23 or knee 24 may be driven in either direction from sleeve 32, Fig. 4, through a shaft 66', Figs. 4, 5, gears 61, 68, a reverser generally denoted by the numeral 69, a shaft I0, 2. gear H fixed on shaft I0, and gears 12, 'I3'respectively associated with a knee selector clutch I4 and a saddle selector clutch I5; the selector clutches providing shiftable elements 14a, 15a, Fig. 5, suitably interlocked in such manner that engagement of the one'clutch 'disengages the other. The saddle and knee transmission and control'm'echanism ismore fully described in said copending application and need not here be further described.

The quick traverse selector clutch 39'is under the'operative control of the vertical movements vember 29, 1935, which matured into Patent No. 2,240,148, dated April 29, 1941, and will therefore here be only briefiy described. The rate changer includes a driving gear 9| fixed on the sleeve 41, a driven gear-92 fixed on another sleeve 93 which is rotatably mounted on sleeve 41, and gears such as 94 fixed on shafts such as 95, there being several of the gears 94 and shafts 95, preferably three, equi-angularly spaced and each simultaneously engaging the driving gear 9| and driven gear 92. The shafts95 are each jour: naled in a cage generally denoted by the numeral 96, which is supported for independent rotation coaxial with sleeve 41, the cage includinga sleeve portion 99a and fiangeportions 99b and 960 fixed with sleeve 96a. and respectively carrying the bearings for the opposite ends of shafts 95, the bearings in this instance being anti-friction bearings such as 91, 98.

Fixed for rotation or .integral with each- 0 shafts .95, Fig; 8, are conically tapered friction rolls such as 99, the axis of the shafts 95 being angularly disposed with respect to the axis of drive sleeve 41, at such angle that the outer periphery of each of the conical rolls stands par-. allel with the axis of the drive sleeve. Frictionally simultaneously engaging the peripheries of each of the rolls 99 there is a. non-rotatable friction ring I00 carried by a framergenerally denoted by the numeral IOI, the frame together with they ring 99 being adjustable in a path parallel with. the axis of the drive sleeve, whereby to engage ring I00 with the outer periphery of rolls 99 at various points ofdifferent roll-diameter, the frame being slidably guided for such movement on spacedguiderods I02, I03, Fig. 3, to be shifted by means later described. Ring I00 is prevented from rotation and carried by frame IOI in a manner permitting of a certain amount of adjustment relative to the frame whereby to simultaneously engage the peripheryof each of the friction rolls .99 withequal pressure and at corresponding roll diameters, but since the.details of the ring mounting do not concern the present invention they will not here-be described.

The friction contact between the rolls 99, Fig. .8, and ring I forces each roll and its companion gear 94 to revolve whenever cage 96- is revolved, and at a gear speed determined in part by the diameter of rolls 99 at the point of ring contact. As the ring I09 is axially shifted it contacts rolls 99 at points of differing roll diameter and changes the relative speed of the gears. Thus as the'ring is adjusted to engage thesmall'er diameter of-the rolls 99 the speed of the rolls and of the gears 94 increases, and vice versa, and the relationship of the various parts of the rate change device 48 is such that when sleeve 41 is driven at a constant speed the adjustment of ring I00 will enforce a variable speed on drivengear 92. With the parts proportioned as shown in Fig. 8 the speed of driven'gear 92 may be any of a steplessseries of speeds having a range from zero speed, obtained when ring I is engaging a smalldiameter of rolls 99, to a maximum speed which is somewhat less than the speed of drive shaft 51, depending on the ratio of the driving and driven. gears BI, 92, the ratio of the smallest and largest diameters of rolls 99, etc.

For the adjustment of the output speed of the rate changer 48 the ring I00 is axially shifted by mechanism as follows: A shifter fork I28; Figs. 3, 4, engages the frame MI and is guided on a rotatable cam shaft I21 and a rod I28. Shaft I2! is provided with a cam groove I21a which is engaged by a pivoted follower member I29 carried by the fork I25, the cam shaft being rotatable from a hand wheel I30 fixed ona shaft I3I and connected with the cam shaft by bevel gears I32, 33. A graduated feed dial I34 is rotatably car'- ried on shaft I3i and readable against an indicator I 35, the dial preferably being graduated for somewhat less than one revolution thereof to correspond with the range of speeds available from the rate changer 48, which ordinarily requires several revolutions of cam shaft I21 to effect. Reduction gearing is therefore provided between shaft i3! and dial !-34, including a pinion I3Ia, an internal gear I34a, and an idler I30. The cam groove 12in may be of varying angle, as shown, whereby to effect a preferred spacing of the graduations of dial I34 such, for example, as to provide numbered graduations at equal spacing on the dial but corresponding to the terms of a geometrical progression.

The torque measuring device 49 includes relatively rotatable piston and cylinder members 49a, i017, Figs. 4, 7, respectively fixed'with the driven sleeve 93 of the rate changer 48 and with the feed train gear 50. Fluid is supplied to the piston 49d from a positive acting pump I05, of any suitable form, driven from the continuously running quick. traverse train sleeve 3'5, as by gears I06, the fluid being carried from the output port I05a of the pump through closed channel means, as by a channel I08, a stationary coupling member I09, a rotary coupling member IIO, an annular groove Iliia, and drilled channels III, H2, in a manner to continuously urge relative rotation of piston and cylinder members 49a, 49b in the direction opposite to that urged by the transmission load carried by the gear 50. Except as it finds outlet through an overload relief valve Hi3 fluid from pump I05 can escape only after the fluid pressure on piston member 49a has rotated the piston member against the resistance of the transmission load sufficiently for exposure of a drain channel H3, the fluid pressure in channel I08 therefore normally being proportional to the torque load on gear '50. To provide a predetermined minimum fluid pressure in the channel Hit, the piston member 49a of the torque measuring device 40 is continuously urged, in a direction to cover the outlet port II3,'by the means of a plunger 49c, the desired minimum fluid pressure being determined by the pressure of a plunger spring 49d, which is adjustable by the means of a spring abutment screw 49c. -In addition to other uses, later explained, the device 49 operates as a hydraulic cushioning and shock absorbing device in the mechanical table A train.

During the feed rate operation of table 22, and particularly during operations generally known as climb cutting, it is very desirable that there should be no lost motion between the table screw 60 and nut 64 such as might result in chatter'or vibration or permit the cutter to suddenly pull itself into the work at a rate faster'than the selected feed rate. To eliminate such lost motion and automatically establish a force opposing axial lost motion between the screw 60 and nut 04 there is provided the following structure. Screw 60, Figs. 3, '7, is constructed with threads having side faces at such angle that axial pressure has relatively littletendency to initiate or resist movement of the screw laterally. A portion of the nut is cut away at one side of the nut axis, as at 64b, Fig. 3, and in the space thus provided there is a member 200 which may be acted upon by a piston device generally denoted by the numeral 20I, the piston 202 being operated by fluid pressure supplied through channels 203, 204, 205, Figs. 3, 7, from the channel I08, whereby the piston pressure varies in accordance with the feed torque load on the torque device'49 of the feed train except that a minimum value is established by the spring 49d, and a maximum value by the overload device I98. Th operation of piston device 20I is to force the screw laterally to a pressure contact acting between both sides of each screw thread and the corresponding both sides of the nut threads, there being clearance at the top and bottom of the threads to permit such engagement, even after wear takes place. Where the screw and nut are properly fitted there is very little lateral movement required and the result is to eliminate all backlash or lost motion between the screw and the nut. Moreover, the pressure connection is such that during table movements at quick traverse rate, and during manual table movement from the squared screw end 60a, there is a minimum of lateral pressure,

the pressur then being reduced to that estab lished by the spring 49d.

The climb cutting conditions, such as mentioned, occur when the work-contacting side of a cutter such as 2I0, Fig. 9, is moving in the same direction as the table 22. The cutter periphery moves much faster than the table, and under climb-cutting conditions the cutting pressure is negative, that is to say the cutter urges the table ahead of its transmission whereby the torque is negative as compared with conditions where the cutter opposes table movement. If the table screw such as 60 is of so-called quick pitch, that is to say with relatively high thread angle whereby it is not self-locking, such negative cutting pressure and torque may cause everrun with resulting chatter or damage even where there is no axial lost'motion between the screw and nut, the negative cutting pressure operating on the screw to cause screw rotation and negative torque on the drive train, resulting in table movement ahead of the transmission to the extent of any rotational lost motion existing in the table driving train.

Rotational overrun caused by negative cutting pressure and negative torque may be prevented either by setting up a back pressure or resistance sufficient to' balance the negative cutting pressure,- whereby to continuously effect positive torque on the table drive train, or by increasing the friction pressure between the screw and nut threads sufliciently to make the quick pitch screw self-locking in its action, whereby to prevent overrun and negative torque irrespective of the negative cutting pressure.

There will first be described means for preventing negative torque by means opposing negative cutting pressure.

In the device of Fig. 8 the piston 202 receives presure fluid from the pump I05 and torque measuring device 49, whereby to eliminate axial backlash between the screw 60 and nut 84 substantially as previously described. In addition there is torque controlled brake means, generally denoted as 2I4, for opposing negative cutting pressure to continuously maintain a positive torque on the driving train of screw 60, as follows:

An endwise movable wedge member 2I5 is arranged in a recess in saddle 23, the saddle forming a wedge abutment in the one lateral direction through anti-friction rolls such as 2I5a. In the other lateral direction the wedge thrusts against an angular lateral guide surface 2H5 of table 22, preferably through an adjustable table gib 22a of conventional type and anti-friction rolls such as 2I5b. The wedge 2I5 is continuously urged in wedging direction, whereby to increase the friction resistance to table movement in its slideways, by the means of a pivoted lever 2H and an adjustable spring 2I8. The spring pressure is opposed by a piston device 2I9 deriving fluid pressure from pump I05.

One or more of the brake devices such as 2I4 may be used, sufiicient to effect table resistance, when the springs such as 2I8 are not opposed, to prevent forward table movement under the conditions of maximum negative cutting pressure. The piston devices such as 2 l9 are so proportioned that the torque controlled fluid pressure will reduce the table friction set up by the Wedges such as 215 substantially to zero at the point where positive cutting pressure, during normal cutting, is substantially of the same value as the maximum negative cutting pressure just mentioned. Under such conditions the load on the table transmission will always be positive and will vary in a characteristic manner charted in Fig. 8A. The increase in the positive torque through torque measuring device 49 operates to increasingly oppose the spring 218 and reduce the wedge pressure, but suflicient resistance to table movement will be maintained to prevent overrun under any cutting conditions.

The mode of operat on characterized by the chart Fig. 8A is somewhat wasteful of power, since considerable frictional resistance is operating during positive cutting pressures, when it is not needed, particularly if the axial lost motion of the screw 60 is eliminated as stated. To avoid such lost power the brake friction may be controlled to be operative only when the cutting conditions eifect negative cutting pressures.

Referring to Figs. 1, 9, the spindle 2I may be operated either in the forward or reverse directions indicated in Fig. 9, according to the positioning of the spindle reverser lever 220, Figs. 1, 8. The table 22 may be operated in either the forward or reverse directions indicated according to the positioning of the lever I51, Figs. 2, 8. As has been stated, the cutter 2I0 can only operate to urge the table ahead of its trans-mission, whereby to effect negative cutting pressure, when the periphery of the cutter at the point where it engages the work is moving in the same direction as the table. Such negative cutting pressure condition will occur only during the combinations, Fig. 9, of spindle forward, table reverse and of spindle reverse, table forward. During the spindle forward, table forward and during spindle reverse, table reverse combinations the cutting pressure will be positive.

The control levers 200 and I51, just mentioned are respectively connected for operation of control valves 22I, 222, Figs. 8, 1.0, serially arranged in the pressure line I08 between the pump I05 and torque measuring device 49, the valves being positioned beyond the point of take-off of the branch lines leading to piston 2 I 8 and to overload device I98. The control connections may be of any suitable type and therefore are diagrammatically indicated, as at 220a, I5'Ia. Each of the valves 22 I, 222 have valve portions at different levels, such as the portions 22 Ia, 22Ib, Fig. 10, for the valve 22I controlled from spindle reverse lever 220, and the portions 222a, 222b for the valve 222 controlled from the table reverse lever I51. The connections 220a, I5'Ia, Fig. 8, are such that in each instance the movement of the associated reverser lever during reversal rotates the connected valve degrees, and the valves are provided with ports and passageways, as shown in Fig. 10, such that in the spindle forward, Fig. 9, position of the spindle reverse lever 220, and the table forward, Fig. 9, position of the table reverse lever I51, the passage I08 is closed by the valves against flow of fluid to the torque measuring device 49. Under such condition the maximum pressure of pump I05, as determined by relief valve I98, will operate on the piston 2I9 and the spring 2I8 will be completely overcome, whereby to entirely relieve the table 22 of any friction set up by the wedge device 2I5. The arrangement of the ports and passageways also blocks the channel 2I8, as will be apparent, Fig. 10, when the valves are each turned 90 degrees for the spindle reverse and table reverse combination, Fig. 9.

However, if only one of the valves 22I, 222, Fig. 10, is turned 90 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 10, whereby to effect either the spindle forward, table reverse combination or the spindle reverse, table forward combination, Fig. 9, fluid will pass the valves to the torque measuring device 49, which then will control the piston 2I9 to regulate the table brake 2I4 as previously described.

With the valves 22I 222 controlled as described there will be no back pressure set up by the wedge device 2I5 during positive cutting pressure, and the characteristic chart for cutting pressure and torque will then be as shown in Fig. 8A. This provides table back pressure sufficient to maintain a positive torque preventing overrun during any negative cutting pressure conditions, but without material back pressure which would cause waste of power during positive cutting pressure conditions.

The torque controlled backlash eliminating device of Fig. 8, operated from piston 202, Figs. 3, '7, 8, operates to avoid possibility of axial lost motion. However, as shown in Fig. 8, the piston 202 is connected to receive pressure fluid only through valves MI, 222, whereby the fluid pressure on piston 202 is operative only during negative cutting pressure conditions. A preferred constant pressure may be applied to be operable at other times as, for example, by a spring 225, Fig. 8.

It will be noted that the valve 222, Figs. 8, 10, operates to close the channel I08, whereby to release the brake pressure opposing table movement, as described, whenever the table reverser lever is in central position, as will be apparent in Fig. 10. This is the position of the lever whenever the table is to be manually operated as, for example, by a hand crank (not shown) applied to the squared end 60a of table screw 60, and table manual movement will therefore not be opposed by brake 2 I4. It is also preferable that the brake 2 It should not be. operative during rapid traverse movements of the table, irrespective of whether such movement takes place during negative or positive cutting pressure combinations of the spindle and table reverser positions. The vertical movements of hand lever I51 alternatively effect quick traverse or feed rates, as has been stated, and to close the channel [08, Fig. 8, whereby to eliminate the brake during quick traverse rate movements, there is provided a valve 226, Figs. 8, 10, connected for operation from lever I51 as by connecting means l51b, to shift the valve to the open position shownin Fig. 10 in the feed rate position of lever I51,- and to rotate the valve to closed position when lever I5! is positioned for quick traverse rate.

There will next be described a device for preventing negative torque by means increasing the friction between the screw and nut threads sufficiently to make quick pitch screws self-locking in operation, as previously mentioned.

In the device of Fig. 11 the screw 60 is provided with torque controlled backlash eliminating means cooperative with the fixed nut 64 and including a piston device 202, similarly to the device of Fig. 8. In addition there is provided torque controlled screw-nut pressure means generally denoted by the numeral 230.

The pressure means 230, Fig. 12, includes an axially slidable nut 23! which is prevented from 232 provides spaced fork portions for passage of screw 60 therebetween, and nut abutment portions thereon such as 232a, the lever being thrust in the one direction, to shift nut 23! to the right, by an adjustable spring 233, the spring pressure being opposable by a piston 234.

The threads of nuts 64 and 23| are respectively pressed against the opposite faces of the threads of screw 60 by the action of spring 233, the engaged surfaces acting as a brake resisting rotation of screw 60. At the relatively low rotational speeds of screw 60 during feed rate motion of the table the braking effect varies substantially in accordance with the spring pressure. Spring 233 may be so proportioned that, when unopposed, the braking effect is shufficient to prevent the maximum available negative cutting pressure from causing rotational overrun of the screw, whereby to prevent overrun caused by rotational lost motion in the screw driving train. Since the screw will ordinarily be nearly self-locking without the brake, the brake pressure and power required to prevent screw rotation from negative cutting pressure is relatively small. With the described construction there will be some positive torque, due to the brake, operating on the table train at all times while the brake is eifective, but piston 234 is controlled from the levers I57 and 220 by the means of valves 22l, 222, 226 in the manner explained for the brake piston 2 I 9 of the device of Fig. 8, whereby to eliminate the brake action during positive cutting pressure conditions, during hand feed operations and during quick traverse rate movements. A characteristic cutting pressure and torque chart for this mode of operation of the device of Fig. 11 is shown in Fig. 11A.

The device of Fig. 11 may also be operated in such manner as to prevent overrun by a combination of the methods previously mentioned, that is to say in part by opposing the negative cutting pressure and in part by the screw-brake action effecting self-locking operation of the screw. For such mode of operation the spring 233 is pro- 11 may be further modified for the'spring 233,

" rotation by a key such as 23la. A pivoted lever portioned for the unopposed spring to provide pressure materially in excess of that required for the'mode of operation previously described, and the torque controlled piston device 234 is so proportioned as to substantially completely relieve the nut 23l from the spring pressure at the point where the positive cutting pressure is'equal in numerical value to the maximum negative cutting pressure. In such case, and with the valves controlled from the levers. I51, 220 as described, there will result a force diagram similar to that of Fig. 8B, but the combination of direct nut pressure and screw-brake effect will modify the force diagram somewhat as indicated in Fig. 11B. The mode of operation of the device of Fig.

etc, to operate as a backlash eliminating device. For this result spring 233 is so. proportioned that when unopposed it maintains. the nut 23! to the limit of its possible right-hand movement, Fig. 11, that is to say with the screw 66 forced against thefixed nut 64, under conditions of maximumv negative cutting pressure tending to force the screw to the left, Fig. 11, and the torque. controlled piston 234 is so proportioned as to.substantiallycompletely relieve nut 23l from. spring pressure at the point where the positive cutting pressure is equal in numerical value. to the maximum negative cutting pressure. In such case the. threads or screw 60 will be continuously maintained pressure contact with the same side faces of the threads of nut 64 and any axial lost motion, as

well as rotational overrun will be eliminated, whereby the piston device 202 will be unnecessary for the purpose. The characteristic force diagram will then be substantially as in Fig. 8B.

It will be noted that, as to the last described modifications of the mode of operation of the structure of Fig. 11, the device will operate as described only for one direction of negative cutting pressure, since the spring 233 and piston 234 operate in only one direction on nut 23L This single direction of operation does not apply to the mode of operation first described for Fig. 11, and if the two-Way action is desired for the other modes, it may readily be had by use of two spring and piston devices such as 233, 234, respectively operative in different axial directions on nut 23!, and controlled to be operable one at a time by suitable control connections operated from spindle reverser lever 220. Since the necessary structure for such control will be obvious, it is not shown.

What is claimed is:

1. In a, machine tool the combination of a pair of relatively reciprocable supports, a power train for said relative reciprocation including engaged screw and nut means and a hydraulically operable torque responsive device, pressure responsive hydraulic means for relative adjustment of said engaged screw and nut means for elimination of backlash therebetween, and a channel connection operative for application of hydraulic pressure to said pressure responsive means in accordance with the torque load on said torque responsive device.

2. In a transmission and control mechanism the combination of a power train including a pair of transmission elements relatively adjustable for elimination of lost motion therebetween, said train including a hydraulically operable torque responsive device, and channel and piston hydrauhe means connecting said device for adjustment of said elements.

3. In a transmission and control mechanism the combination of screw and nut means, adjustable means for elimination of backlash in said screw and nut means, a hydraulically operable torque responsive device, and channel and piston hydraulic means connecting said device for adjustment of said adjustable means.

4. In a machine tool having a table, the combination of a table train including a hydraulically operable torque responsive device, adjustable mechanism for controlling a force urging said table ahead of its transmission, and an automatic adjusting connection including channel and piston means for adjustment of said mechanism in accordance with the torque response of said hydraulically operable device.

5. In a milling machine table transmission, a

vtrain including rotary power driven elements operatively connected to effect movement of a milling machine table, adjustable means operative to eliminate backlash in said transmission for preventing overrunning of said table, and hydraulically operable means responsive to torque exerted through an element of said train and operatively connected through channel and piston means to adjust said backlash eliminating 6. In a power transmission mechanism for actuating a movable element of a machine tool, a transmission train including a rotary power driven member operatively connected to effect movement of said machine tool element, adjustable means operative to eliminate backlash in said transmission train, hydraulically operable means responsive to torque exerted by an element of said transmission train, and hydraulic channel and piston means operative to adjust said backlash eliminating means from said torque responsive means, whereby said means to eliminate backlash may be adjusted automatically in accordance to the torque required'to drive said movable element.

7. In a milling machine having relatively reciprocable tool and work supports the combination of power transmission mechanism for said support movement including engaged screw and nut means and including alternatively connectible feed and quick traverse trains, a hydraulically operable torque responsive device in said feed train exclusive of said quick traverse train, pressure responsive means for relative adjustment of said screw and nut means for elimination of backlash therebetween, and pressure channel and-piston means connecting said pressure means for operation from said torque responsive device in accordance with the instant torque load transmitted by said feed train.

FRED A. PARSONS. 

